Backlash against labour mp

desperately missed

Jo Cox MP, 41, was dragged to the floor by her hair and then gunned down at point-blank range by a man armed with an antique pistol.

Witnesses told how the alleged killer calmly stood over her and reloaded each time before executing Jo with a final bullet to the head.

This afternoon the Prime Minister David Cameron and Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn today made an unprecedented joint statement to call for unity close to the spot where the mum of two was slaughtered yesterday.

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They said the assailant had used a homemade gun to shoot Ms Cox several times while she lay on the ground.

Mair, who lives in a semi-detached house on the Fieldhead Estate in Birstall, was arrested just hours after the horrifying attack on the Batley and Spen MP.

He had stayed in the same council estate semi in Birstall, West Yorks, for 40 years but had lived alone following the death of his nan 20 years ago and was said to have been on medication and receiving psychotherapy for prolonged periods.

Everything we know about alleged killer Tommy Mair

Cops hunting Jo Cox MP's killer have a 52-year-old man in custody

Tommy Mair, 52, was detained by police near his home in Birstall, near Batley in West Yorkshire.
He is currently being held in police custody while officers search his home.
Mair has been described as a "loner" with mental health issues.
He is said to suffer from obsessive compulsive disorder.
The 52-year-old has long-term links with a hard-right group based in London.
He has been named as a supporter of an organisation which has defended the white supremacist apartheid regime in South Africa.
He bought bought a book from a neo-Nazi group detailing how to build your own gun and all about using chemicals and explosives.
But his brother said "he wouldn't hurt a fly".
Scott Mair said his brother is "not even political".
There had been reports the gunman shouted Britain first, but the witness has today denied ever saying that

Brother Scott Mair, 50, told The Sun: “We are struggling to believe what has happened. My brother is not a violent man and is not that political.

"We don’t even know who he votes for.

“I am visibly shaken at this news. I am so sorry for the MP and her family. I’ve no idea how he got hold of the gun. It’s all been too much for us today.”

Mair has also been named as a supporter in an online publication of the Springbok Club.

The organisation defend the white supremacist apartheid regime in South Africa.

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Yesterday a witness of the fatal attack Dry cleaner Aamir Tahir was quoted saying: "Apparently the guy who did it shouted Britain first'.

"If I had been there I would have tackled him."

Britain first denied that Mair was associated with the political party and said they "condemn" the killing.

But a sign last night hung in the window of the Dry Clean 2U store close to the murder scene read: "Please note. I did NOT tackle the gunman. NO-ONE shouted Britain first at ANY TIME."

Instead a 77-year-old hero who heard screaming tried to bundle the attacker to the ground but was stabbed and left bleeding.

However another witness, gas fitter Clarke Rothwell, insists the assailant did shout "Britain first" as he murdered the mum-of-two.

The mum-of-two was shot and repeatedly stabbed 'with a foot long knife' in broad daylight

Horrifying eyewitness accounts have emerged describing the moment Labour MP Jo Cox was brutally murdered by a loner gunman.
The mum of two was shot and repeatedly stabbed “with a foot long knife” in broad daylight this afternoon as dozens of shocked locals looked on.
Eyewitness, Clarke Rothwell who runs a nearby cafe, told the BBC he believed the MP had been shot and stabbed multiple times.
“Three times she was shot, the initial time which then she dropped to the floor and two more times. The third time he got close proximity he shot her round the head area,” he said.
“In the meantime he was stabbing her as well, he was stabbing her with his knife,” he added.
Mr Rothwell said there was blood everywhere at the scene.
Asked if he thought Ms Cox had intervened in a dispute he said he understood the altercation was “always between the guy carrying the gun and the lady that got shot”.
Aamir Tahir, of The Dry Clean Centre, said the gunman was heard shouting “Britain first”.
He said: “The lady I work with heard two loud bangs but I wasn’t there, I was stuck in traffic at the time. I wish I was there because I would have tried to stop him. The whole street thinks it was me but it wasn’t.
“Apparently the guy who did it shouted ‘Britain first’ and if I had been there I would have tackled him.”
Amanda Barber, 38, from Birstall, said: “I noticed something different straight away – there were a lot of people running about and cars stopped.
There was a lady laying on the floor beside a car outside the library with people all around her.
“At one point a woman shouted ‘oh my god, she’s stopped breathing’.
“She wasn’t moving – she was laid down and unconscious, no movement or anything.
“There was a female officer trying to do CPR on her as I left.”
She added: “I’ve lived here my entire life and I’ve never personally seen or heard anything like this before.”
A third eyewitness has described how the gunman shot Ms Cox “once” then “again” and “once more”.
“He shot her once, then shot her again…shot her once more,” they told the BBC.

Distraught friends and colleagues of Mrs Cox have been paying tribute to her.

Her father Gordon Leadbeater said: “It’s too early yet, we’re still in shock so not yet.”

The small boating community in Wapping is in mourning for the 41-year-old who was gunned down yesterday afternoon in West Yorkshire while meeting constituents.

She died doing the job she loved, in the place she loved, representing the people she loved.

Rachel Reeves MPfriend of tragic Jo

Houseboats burnt their horns out sounding a two minute tribute to MP Jo Cox last night.

Candles were lit along the gangway down to the jetty and hundred of flowers and pictures were placed on the vessel the the mum-of-two shared with her husband, Brendan.

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Anne Wainwright chair of the Heritage Moorings said: "We are a very tight community. We're all pulling together. It's just so awful.

"Lots of people came to lay flowers last night, tributes have come from all over the world, it was rally amazing.

"We burnt some of our horns out because we sounded them for two minutes straight.

"I spoke to Jo's husband Brendan last night and we've exchanged some messages.

"He's obviously in bits, I can't imagine what he's going through. And her parents as well, it's so terrible, we're in such shock."

Jo was such a lovely person, she was tiny but had so much energy.

Anne Wainwright chair of the Heritage Moorings

She added: "I'm not sure when her family are coming back but when Brendan comes back we'll talk about any further tributes as a community.

"It has been mentioned that her name might get put on a bench nearby, but we're not sure yet.

"Jo was such a lovely person, she was tiny but had so much energy.

"She loved her work so much she had to get back to work after being a full time mum."

Ben Lack

Emma Warrillow has been pictured laying flowers at the scene of Mrs Cox's murder in Birstall.

The young girl wrote a touching tribute to her friend which said: "Thank you Jo for everything you have done for me.

"I hope you're looking down on me on the 15th of July when I get my Prince Diana award.

"I'll collect it in your memory.

"Lots of love Emily."

Ben Lack

SWNS

Tributes left in the book of condolence said: "You have left a world that is changed by your humanity and empathy for the plight of others.

"May your lasting legacy be one that remembers that joyful optimism and tireless work really does change the world. Rest in peace Jo."

Another tribute read: "From one mother to another may your joy live on through your children."

One message with a bunch of flowers said: "There is a new star shining brightly in the sky tonight. You were one of life's good ones. RIP Jo Cox MP."

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LNP

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Just last year Labour's rising star achieved her "dream" of representing her hometown in Westminster.

But the talented politician's life was cut tragically short yesterday.

Prime Minister David Cameron who called Jo Cox a "great star" is travelling to Batley and Spen now to pay his respects.

The death of Jo Cox is a tragedy. She was a committed and caring MP. My thoughts are with her husband Brendan and her two young children.